2002 Hyundai Santa Fe - does it have LATCH & tethers?

[unregistered]

I'm about to fly across the country with my DD and we are bringing her Roundabout. A family member is picking us up at the airport in her 2002 Hyundai Santa Fe and I'll need to figure out how to install the Roundabout forward-facing into the Santa Fe in very short order. I am very nervous about not getting it right! My current auto is older and does not have LATCH so the Roundabout is installed forward facing, center of back seat, with the lap belt only. I've been watching the Britax videos to memorize how the LATCH system works.

Does anyone know if the 2002 Santa Fe has LATCH?

If it doesn't, or if I freak out at the airport and can't figure out the LATCH system, is it safe and acceptable to use rear center lap belt instead?

Thank you!!

[Mommypooh]

if you are more comfortable with a seatbelt install use it. I rarely ever use latch unless I can't get a good install with seat belt.

[Jeanum]

An '02 Santa Fe might have lower LATCH anchors, because Hyundai phased in LATCH in the Santa Fe during the 2002 model year according to the LATCH manual. If the specific '02 Santa Fe you're going to install in has lower LATCH anchors, it will be in the outboard rear seating positions only, not in the center. The LATCH manual also indicates all '02 Santa Fes have 3 top tether anchors on the floor of the cargo area, not the brackets on the back of the seat, so you'll be able to top tether your FF Roundabout even with a seatbelt installation. :thumbsup: Hope this helps and bon voyage. :)